Stephen A. Smith Sparks Outrage with Bold Steelers Coaching Claim
ESPN's outspoken 'First Take' host and executive producer Stephen A. Smith is renowned for his provocative opinions, but his latest commentary on Monday morning has been labelled by many as his most outrageous take yet. The controversy centres on the Pittsburgh Steelers' recent headline-grabbing appointment of former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy as their new head coach for the 2026 season.
A Coaching Shake-Up in Pittsburgh
The NFL news cycle over the weekend was dominated by the Steelers' decision to hire Mike McCarthy, who replaces the fired Mike Tomlin. Tomlin had held the distinction of being the league's longest-tenured active head coach with a single team prior to his departure. This significant organisational change set the stage for Smith's explosive on-air remarks.
"Ryan Clark Should Have Been Interviewed"
During Monday's broadcast, Smith expressed profound dissatisfaction with Pittsburgh's hiring process, arguing the franchise acted too hastily. He insisted they should have, at minimum, conducted one additional interview. "I'm very upset, going back to the Pittsburgh Steelers," Smith declared. "I want to state for the record - and I'm not joking about this, I'm dead serious - I believe that Ryan Clark should have been interviewed for the job."
The remark was directed at Clark himself, a former Steelers safety and current ESPN NFL analyst, who was sitting alongside Smith on the 'First Take' set. Clark appeared visibly shocked and somewhat embarrassed by the unexpected public endorsement for such a prestigious role.
Live On-Air Awkwardness and Fan Backlash
As Clark reacted with a stunned "I wish I would've", Smith doubled down on his argument. "I believe that Ryan Clark, who I'm looking at right now, should've been interviewed for the job," he continued. "Philip Rivers got interviewed by the Buffalo Bills, I'm just saying. You're the Pittsburgh Steelers, what's up? I know they love RC... how come you can't interview the brother? You gon' sit up there and bring Mike McCarthy back at 62-years-old."
Clark responded with laughter, suggesting the Steelers might love him "from a distance", before host Shae Cornette steered the conversation elsewhere. The segment, however, ignited a firestorm on social media, with fans mercilessly roasting Smith's take. Many declared it the moment the show "jumped the shark", branding it "the worst take ever".
\nOne user on X wrote, "This show has gone off the god damn rails man. Have some shame," while another quipped, "I wouldnt even interview Ryan Clark to shovel my driveway." Further criticism highlighted the absurdity, with a comment reading, "We have to petition for gyms, airports and bars to not show first take. This is absolutely garbage." Another observer noted, "It diminishes the sentiment when he has to point out that he's not joking."
Examining the Credentials and Precedent
Smith's argument faces significant scrutiny when examining the relevant experience. While Philip Rivers—mentioned by Smith—was interviewed by the Bills, he possesses five years of high school football coaching experience. Ryan Clark, in contrast, built his media career following his NFL playing days and has no substantial coaching background to speak of.
Furthermore, there is a notable, and largely unsuccessful, precedent for 'First Take' alumni transitioning to NFL coaching. Former Indianapolis Colts centre Jeff Saturday, who had three years of high school coaching experience, took over as interim head coach of the Colts in 2022. His tenure was disastrous, resulting in a dismal 1-7 record, underscoring the vast challenge of moving from the studio to the sideline without proven experience.
Stephen A. Smith's latest hot take has therefore not only created an intensely awkward television moment but also raised serious questions about the qualifications necessary for one of the most demanding jobs in professional sports, all while generating a tidal wave of disbelief from the NFL viewing public.
